Mucuna Pruriens

Mucuna pruriens, also known as velvet bean, is a tropical legume plant native to Asia and Africa. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits, supported by human studies. Mucuna pruriens contain high levels of naturally occurring L-dopa, the precursor to dopamine.

Enhances mood and cognitive function
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, mucuna pruriens was found to significantly improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognitive function in healthy subjects. This effect is thought to be due to the presence of L-DOPA. (1)

Neuroprotective properties
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, mucuna pruriens was found to significantly improve motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. The active compounds responsible for these effects are thought to be the L-DOPA and other bioactive compounds present in the plant. (2)

Anti-inflammatory properties
Mucuna pruriens has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, mucuna pruriens was found to significantly reduce markers of inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis. (3)

Antioxidant properties
Mucuna pruriens is rich in antioxidants, which may help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, mucuna pruriens was found to significantly reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant status in patients with Parkinson's disease. (4)

Aphrodisiac properties
Mucuna pruriens has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic medicine. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, mucuna pruriens was found to significantly improve sexual function and fertility in men with infertility. The mechanism of action is thought to be related to the presence of L-DOPA, which can increase levels of dopamine in the brain and improve sexual arousal. (5)

Mucuna pruriens is included in:

1. Shukla, K. K., et al. (2011) 'Mucuna pruriens improves mood, reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function in healthy volunteers', Journal of Medicinal Food, 14(6), pp. 564-578.
2. Cilia, R., et al. (2018) 'Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover study', Neurology, 90(2), pp. e127-e135.
3. Sumanont, Y., et al. (2006) 'Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Mucuna pruriens seed extract', Pharmaceutical Biology, 44(7), pp. 563-569.
4. Yadav, S. K., et al. "Mucuna pruriens seed extract reduces oxidative stress in nigrostriatal dopaminergic system." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 109, no. 1, 2007, pp. 110-114.
5. Shukla, K. K., et al. "Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis." Fertility and Sterility, vol. 92, no. 6, 2009, pp. 1934-1940.